A pilot was flying a small plane Monday near Wheeling, Ill., when he missed a suburban airport and crash-landed just yards from an apartment complex.

The plane, a twin-engine Beechcraft Super King Air 200, was supposed to land at Chicago Executive Airport when it landed northwest of the airfield. The pilot was trying to land when he crashed, FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro said.

The pilot was the plane's only passenger and was able to get out of the plane without injuries. He was taken from the scene by police. No one was hurt, and no buildings were damaged.

Airport officials said the pilot contacted air traffic control just before it crashed.

"There was a fair amount of damage, but for what he did, the airplane was pretty intact for landing short of the runway," said airport manager Dennis Rouleau. "He did a spectacular job of avoiding homes and cars."

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